APS Membership - Worth It?

I get much more out of the USPCS, StampSmarter and free resources such as Siegel's site. They are so easy to access and use. An organization such as APS has overhead expenses that the others do not and their physical plant does nothing for me. APS has it's place but not for me. Just my humble opinion. If you are a member and like it that is great.

I'm pretty biased, but I think there is a value to it. Our members have a great way to sell stamps either through circuit sales or on our StampStore. The monthly journal is an excellent resource and we have substantially increased educational opportunities in the past two years. We have a special offer for new members - $35 through the end of 2018. We hope you give it a try and let us know what you think.

Scott English
Executive Director




Expected completion is AmeriStamp in February.

I often asked myself the same question for years. Well I made a trip to APS. Great staff, great building, great library, top notch resources. Found out first hand info on circuit books, while not for me it is a plus for some people. I'm ok with their web site, in love with the stamp store plus getting an APS discount. Yeah the stamp store site is awkward but it works well enough. The magazine to me is priceless well worth the price of membership.

Politics, most members will never even see this side. I find it a little like a TV Soap program. Egos stepping on other egos. The solution to this is don't pick board members that well how do I say this right? Let me say it this way I would be a fair better board member but then again my sole interest is in stamps not how much power I would want.

Look it is a good society. Well worth joining. It needs more true all around collectors with a love of history. With the proper focus and really the right people it can go far.

So don't wait like I did give it a try. Ignore the side show and enjoy what they have to offer. Then help build it to become even better.

If some are unsure, they can just join for a year and decide to renew or not.

I've been an APS member since sometime in the 1970's and find something of interest in every issue of the journal. I've also used the library from time to time. For a small fee they will xerox sections of books that are responsive to a particular question I've had. The staff are very helpful in every way.
Dan (APS 86690)

@ 51 - Don, you can fit in a straw what I know about exhibiting. You mentioned an individual from APS who is involved in the exhibiting function. What is the concern about him?

I like it for sales circuits as well as the ability to buy stamp insurance through Hugh Wood.

Matt

shermae,
Sorry, I was not clear. I did not mention any APS folks. I mentioned Richard Frajola but he is not a APS member. Richard is a noted postal historian who runs his own website. He has started a periodic online exhibit feature and I was calling this out as being an independent milestone for our hobby.
My post was not well written and I can see how it could confuse, sorry.
Don

No worries at all Don. I am here to learn.

I don't specialize in classic US stamps, but in several foreign areas and I belong to those specialty societies. Having said that, the APS is the base upon which my philatelic world resides and is WELL WORTH the money to join.

Steve
APS member since 1974 and counting.

I have been an APS menber since 1982. The magazine alone is worth the price. The only criticism, if that's what you want to call it, that I would have of the APS is that the casual collector, the one who has only a few hours and a few dollars a week or month to devote to stamp collecting is grossly underrepresented in its leadership. This is not a criticism of the current board members by any means, I met a couple of them at the Richmond show in August, just an observation of the demographics of the leadership.

If you can afford it, you should be an APS member to support the hobby. Regardless of any faults the organization may have, they are the best supporters of general stamp collecting and stamp collectors we have.

While I am an APS member, I believe that my financial contribution to SCF best supports general stamp collecting -- YMMV.

Locus, you have asked an interesting question upon which I have strong personal opinions. I believe that membership in the "national association for the hobby" is essential. It goes beyond the issue of simply supporting the hobby. I was a member of the APS but resigned because those of us in Canada are somewhat restricted in our ability to participate in most member benefits. Those benefits are available through membership in the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada in which I have been a member for 40 years and honoured to be named as a Fellow.

You will find that your national organization is able to provide you with access to a stunning research library in Bellfonte and an amazing set of circuit books (remember that the recent discovery of the 2 cent large queen on laid paper, selling for $215,000 was discovered in one of those books). Insurance for your collection is available providing coverage that you cannot buy on your personal property policy. Access to the expertizing service and the reference collection in Bellefonte is something that you really need if you are going to become an exhibitor. It is also important to remember that, if you are going to exhibit at the national level, membership in the national organization is mandatory.

For the good of the hobby and the general benefits that accrue to all collectors, It is my opinion that membership in your national organization be it the RPSC or the APS should be an obligation for all collectors residing in Canada or the USA. I have additionally discovered that active participation in these national associations will create personal benefits that cannot be obtained elsewhere at any price.

Thanks for opening the subject and giving me the opportunity to stand on my soapbox.